 He served as judge until 12 August 1840.In 1843 he served as postmaster of Liberty, and in 1846, as representative of Liberty in the Texas House of Representatives of the First Texas Legislature.During that session, Branch was elected Speaker of the House "pro tempore" and served as Speaker from his election on 9 March 1846 until Speaker William Crump returned from a leave of absence on 16 March 1846.